Peter Kitchen’s reports on the county chess scene in the Shropshire Star
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A ruthless display from Telford A saw them clinch promotion back to the top flight of Shropshire Chess League for the first time in five years. The Dawley-based side whitewashed a Newport B side with ambitions of reaching the top two themselves to rack up a 10th win in 10 division two matches. It means …
Telford A back in the big time after five-year absence Read More »
The race to become the chess champions of Shropshire has taken a few extra twists and turns – after both of the top two failed to win their matches. Defending champions and current leaders Maddocks A were surprisingly held to a 2.5-2.5 draw by bottom-of-the-table Telepost B. But that came a couple of days after …
Shropshire’s chess-playing community has been left saddened following the death of former county elite player Ray Cox. Ray’s best achievements included being part of four title-winning Shrewsbury teams in the 1970s – the first success of which dates back more than 50 years. Despite spending several years away from the game, he returned to Shrewsbury …
Sadness at death of “likeable and sporting” chess player Ray Read More »
A tournament for junior players is returning to the Shropshire chess calendar for the first time in almost a decade, it has been revealed. Shropshire Junior Chess Congress will be the latest chance for aspiring young players to show off their talent and gain valuable experience and is another short in the arm of the …
New tournament unveiled as junior chess scene thrives Read More »
They used to be a fixture in every chess club in the country – but much like the compact disc, video cassette and typewriter they’ve become obsolete today. The constant ticking of analogue chess clocks amid the surroundings of an otherwise-silent playing hall was a sound many of today’s chess players grew up with. But …
Time ticking for clocks as chess officials look to offload Read More »
Teenager Sam Hollands was the county’s shining light as he won one of the top prizes at Shropshire Chess Congress. The 14-year-old, who plays for the Shrewsbury-based Telepost club, shared first place in the Minor section of the competition – an especially impressive performance considering it was his first ever weekend tournament. Hollands won his …
The future’s bright as Hollands wins title on congress debut Read More »
A record-breaking entry is helping this year’s Shropshire Minor Individual Chess Championship to be the most competitive yet. A number of first-time entrants are included in the field of 21 players – and two of them are right up there among the early pacesetters. Telepost’s James Holyhead is the current outright leader with a perfect …
Record-breaking entry shows game is in good health Read More »
Telford Chess Club is taking Shropshire Chess League division two by storm – with its A and B teams occupying the top two spots at Christmas. Telford A won their top of the table clash with Telepost C 3.5-1.5 to make it five wins from five, while Telford B leapfrogged Telepost by winning 3-2 away …
Maddocks B put the disappointment of being stripped of their only previous league win of the season being them by defeating Telepost B in a key Shropshire Chess League division one relegation scrap. The Oakengates side triumphed 3-2 over their rivals on the same night as a league appeal committee dismissed their appeal against a …
Maddocks bounce back after appeal disappointment Read More »
A newly-promoted team is in danger of losing its only Shropshire Chess League division one victory of the season due to a dispute over the circumstances around a defaulted board. Maddocks B defeated Oswestry A 3-2 on November 10, due in no small part to Oswestry defaulting top board. On the night, Oswestry’s Rudy van …
Default dispute could cost newly-promoted outfit sole win Read More »